School Nurse License

The Ohio Department of Education issues a license for school nurses.­ School districts are expected to hire RNs with the School Nurse License to function as school nurses within the district.­ The state requirements to obtain the School Nurse License are:

Be a registered nurse (RN) in the state of Ohio,

Hold a baccalaureate degree, and

Have completed an approved School Nurse License program.

Ohio University can be of assistance in any one of these requirements.­ If you are interested in completing the requirements for School Nurse Licensure contact:

­­­­­­­­­ First, it is possible to complete a prelicensure nursing program at Ohio University.­ The associate degree program is available on three campuses (Chillicothe, Southern, and Zanesville).­ A traditional four-year baccalaureate prelicensure degree is available on the main campus in Athens and on the three regional campuses named earlier in this paragraph.

­­­­­­­­­ Second, for those individuals who are RNs it is possible to complete the RN to BSN Program at Ohio University.­­ The program is delivered online.­ For more information go to www.ohio.outreach.ohio.edu/bsn.

­­­­­­­­­ Third, Ohio University has an approved School Nurse License program.­ The required courses are a mixture of courses from nursing, psychology, and health.­ Many of them are delivered online, but some require attendance in a classroom.­ Students who are completing the RN to BSN Program may take these courses while working on the BSN degree.­ Individuals who hold a baccalaureate degree from another institution can complete the requirements as a postbaccalaureate non-degree seeking student (ND1204).­ Equivalent transfer courses will be used where applicable.

Applicants download and complete the application for the School Nurse License. The Initial Licensure Application form is available at http://www.ode.state.oh.us/

- When on the website click on “Quick Links” at the top of the page.

- Click on “Educator Licensure Applications.”

- When the screen changes scroll down and click on “Initial License (education program complete inside of Ohio).”­ The application will appear with a page of instructions and a list of the applicable codes.­ Find and use code number “(74) Pupil Services, School Nurse 270800.”

Complete the application form.­ Please note that the initial credential for school nurses is the 5-year license.­ Send the completed application form, a copy of the verification of your RN license which you obtain from the Ohio Board of Nursing website (http://www.obn.state.oh.us/), and a check or money order in the amount of $200.00 made out to “Treasurer, State of Ohio” to:

Ohio University

School of Nursing
Grover Center E365
Athens, OH 45701

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Once your application is received, it will be sent to the Ohio University College of­
Education.­ They will sign the application and send it to the Ohio Department of
Education.

Complete the application and other requirements for the background check.­ The information is available on the Ohio Department of Education website.­ The background check goes directly to the Ohio Department of Education.­ Do not send these materials to the School of Nursing.

The application for the license (including RN license verification and the fee) and the background check information meet at the Ohio Department of Education. Assuming everything is in order the license will be granted and mailed to your home address.

If you are interested in completing the requirements for School Nurse Licensure contact: